Since winning a championship in 2023, the Denver Nuggets have looked pretty much the same.<\/p>\n
Face of the franchise Nikola Jokic<\/a> still leaves his fingerprints all over the game, often willing the Nuggets to victory. The athletic Aaron Gordon<\/a> still plays a connective role<\/a> on offense and takes on tough defensive assignments. Marksman Michael Porter Jr.<\/a> has become more confident scoring off-the-dribble<\/a>, but still does his best work beyond the arc. Jamal Murray<\/a> still looks like he\u2019s a notch below a true All-Star, but is relied upon heavily offensively.<\/p>\n The problem is that their competition has gotten better.<\/p>\n The Los Angeles Lakers improved their coaching, long their Achilles heel, by hiring JJ Redick. The Phoenix Suns have a Big 3 with Kevin Durant<\/a>, Devin Booker<\/a>, and Bradley Beal<\/a>. They also hired a two-time Coach of the Year in Mike Budenholzer. The Dallas Mavericks swapped Tim Hardaway Jr.<\/a> for Klay Thompson<\/a>.<\/p>\n In the East, the New York Knicks traded for Karl-Anthony Towns<\/a> and Mikal Bridges<\/a>. The Philadelphia 76ers managed to pry Paul George<\/a> from the Los Angeles Clippers.<\/p>\n Out of all those moves, the one that might haunt the Nuggets down the line is George signing with the Sixers. This isn\u2019t just because Philadelphia has a real chance to reach the NBA Finals this season and beyond. It\u2019s also because Denver probably could\u2019ve acquired George in a sign-and-trade, if only they had been willing to play ball<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to ESPN insider Ramona Shelburne, \u201cthe Nuggets inquired about Paul George this offseason, but talks never escalated because Denver refused to discuss (Christian) Braun, (Peyton) Watson or (Julian) Strawther, and the Clippers weren’t interested in solely taking back future salary \u2014 likely the $147 million owed to Porter and Zeke Nnaji.\u201d<\/p>\n If true, Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth\u2019s refusal to include Christian Braun<\/a>, Peyton Watson<\/a>, or Julian Strawther<\/a> in a trade for George should be seen as negligence.<\/p>\n Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka\u2019s reluctance to trade Austin Reaves<\/a> has prevented them from landing players<\/a> like Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young<\/a>. Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. is receiving flak for making Jonathan Kuminga<\/a> and Brandin Podziemski<\/a> virtually untouchable. However, the difference between not trading Kuminga, Podziemski, or Reaves and not trading Braun, Watson, or Strawther is significant, as nobody in the Nuggets trio is considered to have star potential.<\/p>\n Even factoring in Braun and Watson\u2019s status as defensive specialists doesn\u2019t absolve Booth. Lockdown wing defenders aren\u2019t a dime a dozen, but players of George\u2019s caliber are exceedingly rare.<\/p>\nNuggets\u2019 Reluctance In Paul George Trade Talks Is Negligent<\/h2>\n
Paul George Is Generational<\/h3>\n